The house of golden sand
6 Guests
3 Bedrooms
3 Bathrooms
Immersed in the vineyards that so characterise the Menfi area of Sicily, Casa Agave is one of those rare villas that could be said to have it all: stunning sea views, a front-row beach location, a gate leading onto the sands of the Belice Nature Reserve, and a dreamy infinity pool. Once arrived, you may wish never to leave.
Speak to our experts
For expert advice on this villa, things to do in the area, or to discuss how we can make your stay truly bespoke, call our Villa Specialists today. We are open every day of the week, weekends included.
Keyholder highlights
- Garden access to a quiet sandy beach
- Sea-view infinity pool
- Glorious sunsets
Gallery
Ariel views of Casa Agave
Includes
- Sole use of the villa and the grounds
- The support of our Villa Specialists to help you select your perfect villa
- The expertise of a dedicated local team to help you fine-tune the logistics of your trip and to plan a range of experiences, many of which are exclusive to The Thinking Traveller
- A Local Specialist, based near your villa, to assist you during your stay (between 9am and 7pm daily, with 24/7 emergency support)
- A comprehensive guide to your villa and its surrounding area, including our restaurant recommendations, cultural highlights and other activities
- An easy-to-use online holiday planner to keep all your booked experiences and services in one place, ensuring that nothing gets missed during your stay
- The ability to coordinate and share the details of your trip with your group via Your Account
- All sales taxes, electricity, gas, Wi-Fi, linen, bath towels, pool and/or beach towels
- Access to our in-villa wine delivery service – choose from our handpicked menu of the best regional wines and find them waiting for you at your villa
- A mid-week cleaning and linen change service
Excludes
- Flights
- Car hire
- Transfers
- Meals (unless otherwise specified)
- Tourist taxes (tassa di soggiorno) levied by many town councils in Italy. The amount varies by location and usually amounts to between €1-€3 per person
Menfi, Sicily
Casa Agave
Available exclusively through The Thinking Traveller
Dates
Guests
Bedrooms
The Area
With one of Sicily's loveliest stretches of sandy beach on your doorstep (not to mention the seafood restaurant of La Pineta - about 2km along the beach of the Belice Nature Reserve), you may never feel the need to explore the other lovely beaches in the area, such as the one at Porto Palo, which has received 20 consecutive "Blue Flags", attesting to the cleanliness of the water and their general ecological excellence.
Casa Agave is ideally placed for visiting the stunning archaeological site of Selinunte and the Cave di Cusa, while there are several interesting historic towns within easy driving distance, including Sciacca and Mazara del Vallo, both of which have charming old centres, some great restaurants and working ports with a large fishing fleets that work the Mediterranean daily. A little further afield but still in easy day-trip distance are Marsala, Trapani and Erice. Caltabellotta is spectacularly situated in the craggy hills overlooking both coast and interior, while Menfi itself is an up-and-coming centre of excellence for the wine trade.
Cycling in the Menfi area is a very pleasurable pastime, thanks to both the quiet back roads and the purpose-built cycle track along and around the old railway line between Menfi, Porto Palo and Sciacca. We’d be delighted to have bikes delivered to your villa and, if anyone in your group is an inveterate pedaller, arrange for a local guide to show them the best routes.
Trapani Airport:
100km-62miles-1hr20Palermo Airport:
102km-63miles-1hr15Catania Airport:
251km-156miles-3hr30Comiso Airport:
200km-125miles-3hr5Sandy beach:
you're right on it!Nearest restaurants:
La Pineta (about a 2km walk away along the beach) or in the Menfi-Porto Palo area (15-20mins drive)Cycle path:
130m-1min to asphalted road. Then 8km-4.9miles-20-30mins to cycle pathSciacca:
30km-19miles-35minsSelinunte:
10km-7miles-15minsMazara del Vallo:
38km-23miles-35minsAgrigento:
90km-55miles-1hr20Local Experiences
Culinary experiences in Western Sicily
Every civilisation that dominated Sicily was inspired by the produce this fertile land offers. In western Sicily it was the Arabs, French and Spanish who shaped the roots of the local culinary tradition, that went on to develop throughout the centuries into the unique, rich and eclectic specialities we find there today.
DiscoverPrivate boat charters in West Sicily
Transparent waters lap dramatic, time-scarred sea stacks and weather-beaten cliffs, home to tumbling prickly pear trees and 16th and 17th-century watch towers. The old tonnara (a tuna fishing hub) is set evocatively between the cliffs, and a little time spent snorkelling here will be time well spent indeed. Then it’s off again, sweeping through the limpid waters of Lo Zingaro Nature Reserve, whose towering mountains rise majestically from the sea. Idyllic pebbly coves break up the sheer rocky masses, and before you know it you’ll be rounding the headland and sailing west to Sicily’s most northwesterly town, the fishing village and seaside resort of San Vito Lo Capo, renowned for its golden sands, electric blue waters, and delicious fish couscous.
DiscoverPrivate guided tours in West Sicily
From first glance, it would seem that the Saracen and Norman rulers of Sicily could have had very little in common. The former had arrived from North Africa and were part of the Golden Age of Arab civilisation that had made such huge strides in the fields of mathematics, economics, agriculture, science, poetry, and architecture. The latter were an offshoot of the Vikings from the frozen north of Europe, adventurers and hardened warriors.When the Normans ousted the Saracen forces in 1090, however, there was no obliteration of all things Arabic. Indeed, the men from the north were hugely impressed by what they found, and rather than destroying Arabic culture, they embraced it. Many institutions were retained, Islam was tolerated, and Saracen landowners were allowed to keep their estates. North African habits were adopted by many Normans as they acclimatised to life in the middle of the Mediterranean. Souks prospered, cool Arabic courtyards were de rigueur, and many Normans, including some of the sovereigns themselves, lived more like Emirs than knights. Where the fusion of cultures really stood out, however, was in the architecture.
DiscoverPrivate Guided Tours in Southwest Sicily
Our private guides are tried and tested experts in their field, with many holding PhDs in their particular specialism. Book a tour or two with them and you'll come away with fascinating insights into your destination's towns, archaeological sites, food, wine, landscapes and geology.
DiscoverBeach clubs in Southwest Sicily
The southern coast of Sicily is a broken line of sandy beaches and cliffs, dotted with the remains of Greek colonies such as Selinunte and Agrigento, and the odd modern metropolis. In the southwest are the seaside towns of Porto Palo di Menfi and Sciacca, with its large fishing fleet, the coastal nature reserves of Foce del Belice, Foce del Platani and Torre Salsa, all with gorgeous unspoilt beaches, and the historic site of Eraclea Minoa, which boasts a long expanse of sand flanked by fragrant pine woods. Also along this section of coast are the bright white chalk cliffs and bathing area of the Scala dei Turchi.
DiscoverWine tastings in Southwest Sicily
The triangle of Menfi, Marsala and Sciacca is one of the oldest outpost for wine production in Sicily thanks to the versatile and mite climate created by the sea breeze coming from the coast. Some of the most important Sicilian indigenous grapes, such as Grillo and Inzolia were born here and throughout the centuries have been wisely combined to produce among the most popular wines of the region. If you want to start exploring Sicilian wine you should probably start here, and we would be pleased to help.
DiscoverBike rental
Menfi, that haven of vineyard-carpeted hills sloping down to crystalline-sea-lapped sandy beaches, has redefined the term “riding the rails”. Where a narrow gauge freight railway once ran, connecting Sciacca, Menfi and Porto Palo, there are now 20km of cycle paths, allowing locals and visitors alike to pedal (or run) through the area’s gorgeous landscapes without worrying about traffic. It’s an ideal way to discover the area and you can even stop off for a swim in the waters of the Mediterranean to cool off.
DiscoverCulinary experiences in West Sicily
The west of Sicily is a great destination for food lovers. Inland, the scenery is dominated by vast expanses of vineyards and olive groves, and some of Sicily's best wines – for example those of the Alcamo, Trapani, Erice and Marsala areas - and olive oils are produced in this corner of the island. Restaurant menus offer a fabulous array of fresh fish and seafood dishes. Fish cous cous is one of the signature dishes, a tradition that is celebrated every September at San Vito’s international Cous Cous Fest. Other stand-out specialities include busiate al pesto trapanese - a homemade pasta served with a pesto of tomatoes, garlic, almonds and basil - and spaghetti alla bottarga - salt-cured tuna fish roe grated on steaming pasta.
DiscoverFrom the Guest Book
Read the thoughtful reviews that travellers have left after their time with us.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable stay at Casa Agave. What stood out was the location and the presentation.
Anonymous October 2024
Casa Agave is fantastic, a beautiful villa. Being able to walk directly onto the beach was such a joy. We had a wonderful time.
Anonymous August 2024
We had a fantastic stay at Casa Agave. The villa was superb and had everything you could imagine provided for you. The staff who look after the house keep it spotless and provided us with everything we needed plus some extra treats! The in-villa chef provided us with the best pasta we had in Sicily. We have stayed in some great places but this wes probably the best villa stay for us.
BB August 2024
Casa Agave is in a beautiful location. The pool and yard are lovely and the grounds are manicured. The view is out of a storybook. The interior is beautiful and decorated with good taste. There isn't anything you need. The kitchen is fully equipped and the beds are very comfortable. We plan on returning to Italy and I wouldn't think of another company. You are a five star organization and I would definitely make sure you retain your staff because they are irreplaceable!
Fran DiPiazza August 2024
Casa Agave is an amazing villa - beats the pictures. We enjoyed doing nothing for a week. We felt well pampered.
FW May 2024
The villa was the best equipped we have stayed in and the staff were friendly, kind and helpful. The location by the sea was amazing and the villa had everything we needed.
Mandy Rees August 2023